The year that was: 2013

Music duo Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou at home on the Fitzroy River (ABC Local:Alice Roberts)

Rockhampton saw the highest daily rainfall total since 1939 on January 24, resulting in flash flooding, dozens of calls to emergency services and a number of rescues in the region.

But among the devastation was a slither of hope, with the birth of the world's first 'hand cloned' calf.

The Royal Birth

Soon talk in the town turned from the birth of the calf to the birth of a little prince, with many speculating what name the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge might take.

Moura fights

From St Mary's Hospital in London to the Moura Hospital in central Queensland, the tight-knit mining community fought to save its medical services after the State Government threatened to shut it down.

But the town rejoiced when it was announced in April that the hospital would remain open and retain 24-hour emergency services.

NDIS

Another contentious issue in the lead up to the 2013 Federal election, was the National Disability Insurance Scheme. For many in the central Queensland community, it still remains unclear what the scheme would mean for them. Springsure local Joyce Comiskey is the full-time carer for her 20-year-old daughter Lauren. Joyce says she hopes that when the scheme is made available to her, that they can choose where the funding goes so they can continue to care for Lauren in her home town.

A two-horse race

Just north of the town of Springsure is the tiny community of Gindie where the annual small schools sports day is held. The smallest school to take part in the event is the Lochington State School with just five students. Some of the races on the day had just two students competing with the announcer calling it 'a two-horse race' on the day.

Bush postie

Another local character in Marlborough spends his days delivering mail to outlying properties. John Smith says he travels about 2,000 kilometres a week as a rural postie and sometimes that means transporting chooks in the cab of his ute for graziers who can't get into town.

Talisman Saber

This year about 28,000 US and Australian troops took part in the joint-military exercise Talisman Saber. American Seahawk helicopter pilot Geoff Cruise says it's the sense of adventure that he loves about his job.

Becoming an Aussie

One central Queensland resident would count 2013 as a lucky year - Afghani refugee Mohammad Azad was reunited with his wife Kaniz and his two children after living in Australia for three years without them. In February next year, Mohammad will be eligible for Australian citizenship which he says would be a dream.

Busby Marou

And this year has been a dream come true for local music duo 'Busby Marou' with the release of their second album 'Farewell Fitzroy.' Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou say their latest album is about proclaiming their roots and saying goodbye to them at the same time.

The election

Of course, in September Australians headed to the polls to decide on a new government. The federal seats of Capricornia and Flynn were captured by photographers in a series of images which highlighted some of the key issues for the two regions.

The bull's rear-end

An issue that had Rockhampton residents fired up this year was debate about whether to move the iconic bulls from the city's streets to one location. One of the reasons for the push, by Capricorn Enterprise's Mary Carroll, was because visitors arriving to the city from the south were greeted with the sight of a bull's rump. But locals and visitors overwhelmed the ABC's talkback line with calls for them to stay put. Rockhampton resident Sam joked, "I'm a big fan of the bull and if they're worried about the hindquarters of them we'll put a head on either end of them."

Ockie

Last month, the central Queensland region lost one of its most famous locals, Ockie the chimpanzee. Ockie died after suffering a heart attack and had been at the Rockhampton Zoo since 1986. A public memorial was held to commemorate his life.

Thank you

ABC Capricornia would like to thank all our listeners, readers and viewers for your support over 2013 and we can't wait to start the new year to meet new faces, greet old ones and tell central Queensland's stories.